Sleep During Pregnancy - Trimester-Wise

Sleeping too much or sleeping too less? You need to find out. With pregnancy, not only do you shed your old skinny clothes, but also your erratic or not so erratic (7-8 hours by the clock) sleeping patterns. Your hunger, eating schedules and moods change too.

Everything that you now do is by taking into consideration the life growing inside you, which is solely dependent on your care and affection. Sleep is essential for the human body. During pregnancy, it becomes all the more necessary for you to get a good sleep so as to stay rejuvenated and healthy throughout.

Let us take a sneak peak at sleep during pregnancy, trimester-wise:

The First Trimester

First trimester brings with it the joy of being pregnant and the urge for a nap. Usually, mothers-to-be feel tired and lethargic due to the secretion of progesterone hormone in their bodies. This might bring on spells of sleep followed by an incessant urge to hit the washroom. In the first-trimester, your body is just starting to adjust to make space for the person growing inside you. In such a condition, it is absolutely normal to want to go to the washroom.

This might be unfriendly with your sleeping patterns in particular. So make sure you take a nap, whenever possible.

Also, be careful about your sleeping positions. Sleep on your left side because it is ideal for blood and nutrition supply to your womb. It will also help you to develop the habit for your next trimesters to come.

The Second Trimester

Surprisingly, you will feel less tired and sleepy in your second trimester as compared to your first one. Your body, having now adjusted to the pregnancy will help you feel more relaxed and energetic. However, beware of leg pains, choked nostrils and erratic sleeping patterns.

In regards to the sleeping position in your second trimester, sleeping on your backs is no more an alternative.

It will be extremely uncomfortable and almost impossible. Try to sleep on your left side with pillows tucked under your knees for better support and a sound sleep. It is healthy to sleep more and try not to postpone sleep due to distractions such as electronic gadgets.

Slowly and gradually as your womb grows, your bladder moves so as to assimilate everything comfortably. This will reduce your nightly interruptions and the urge to go to the bathroom will not be as strong as before.

The Third Trimester

It would be very difficult for you to get a proper good night’s sleep during your third trimester. The size of your tummy would make it a task to find a comfortable position to sleep in. Even your left side sleeping position would not give you much comfort. You will get sleep in spells and deep sleep periods will be fewer.

Try to take help and place pillows around yourself to make a comfortable sleeping place. Use a recliner instead of a flat bed to take short naps during the daytime (and night too, if you find it preferable).

Now since your tummy is fully grown, it will put a lot of pressure on your bladder and the urge to frequent the washroom will return. It is not just your movements that will make you uncomfortable, the baby’s kicking and wiggling are sure to give you some sleepless nights.

Throughout the three trimesters, you need to remember that no amount of sleep is too much sleep. And even if you ARE sleeping too much, it is okay. Sleep is good for you and your baby’s health, so sleep away!